Boost Your Home Network

Slow Netflix, or stuttering Apple Music? Here’s how to get the best performance from your home network

- Cliff Joseph

Welcome to the new normal. Even the best-case scenarios tell us that we’ll all be working from home and spending most of our free time indoors for quite a few months to come. It’s hardly surprising, then, that our home networks have started creaking under the strain of Netflix, Apple TV+, Zoom calls, and music and gaming services that are often all running at the same time. We’re also using many new types of devices as well, with smart speakers, lights and security cameras all demanding a slice of our Wi-Fi, alongside the more traditional Macs, iPads and iPhones.

Fortunately, there are some simple, quick fixes that can help to improve the speed and reliability of your home Wi-Fi, perhaps by connecting to different frequency bands or channels on your Wi-Fi network that are less susceptible to interference from other networks near your home. If that doesn’t work then you can often get an affordable upgrade from low-cost devices such as range extenders or PowerLine adaptors, which can boost your existing network so that it reaches an upstairs bedroom, or a makeshift home office out in your garden shed. If all else fails, then you might simply have to buy a fast, new router.

Whatever the problem, we’re here to provide the answers and get your home network running smoothly.

Work out what’s wrong

Are your neighbours causing your Wi-Fi problems?